Things to do in Bawiti
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Museum
Since the discovery of the Golden Mummies in the 1990s, growing interest in Bahariya’s ancient past has led to the opening of this new museum.This is where the mummies come to rest. Some of the 10 mummies on show are richly decorated and while the motifs are formulaic and the work is second-rate, the painted faces show a move away from stylised Pharaonic mummy decoration towards Fayoum portraiture. Underneath the wrappings, the work of the embalmers appears to have been sloppy: in some cases the bodies decayed before the embalming process began, which suggests that these mummies mark the beginning of the end of mummification. Sadly, the exhibit embodies that spirit, and…
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Oasis Heritage Museum
You can’t miss Mahmoud Eed’s Oasis Heritage Museum, about 2km east of the town’s edge on the road to Cairo: this hilltop bastion is announced by massive clay camels gazing longingly onto the street. Inspired by Badr’s Museum in Farafra, its creator wishes to capture, in clay, scenes from traditional village life, among them men hunting or playing siga (a game played in the dirt with clay balls or seeds), women weaving and a painful-looking barber/doctor encounter. There is also a display of old oasis dresses and jewellery. Look for the sign saying ‘Camel Camp’, which is the plain and overpriced accommodation that’s also offered here.
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Tomb of Bannentiu
Consisting of a four-columned burial chamber with an inner sanctuary, it is covered in fine reliefs depicting Bannentiu in various positions with the gods. The most interesting pictures flank the entrance to the burial chamber. On one side, the journey of the moon is shown, with the moon, in the form of the god Khons, depicted as a source of life and flanked by the goddesses Isis and Nephthys. The other side of the entrance is decorated with the journey of the sun.
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Tomb of Zed-Amun-ef-ankh
The rock-cut Tomb of Zed-Amun-ef-ankh is a fascinating glimpse of Bahariya in its heyday. It appears that Zed-Amun-ef-ankh was not a government official but was given the richness of colourful tomb paintings anyway, hinting at his wealth and importance. Researchers assume he was a trader, perhaps a wine merchant or landowner making money out of Bahariya’s thriving wine-export business.
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Horass Handcraft
Sells some locally made crafts, including hand-decorated pouches cleverly marketed as ‘mobile phone holders’ or, our favourite, ‘guidebook holders’. It also has standard adorned traditional Bedouin costumes and camel-hair socks. If the shop is closed, knock on the door directly across the street.
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Popular Restaurant
Off the main road in Bawiti, this small roadside restaurant is the chosen stopping-off point for many passing through Bawiti. The irrepressible Bayoumi serves the usual selection of chicken, soup, rice and vegetable dishes, though quality seems to be slipping while prices are creeping up. There’s cold beer too.
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Rashed
More a cafeteria than a restaurant, Rashed serves hot and cold drinks and sheeshas (E£2) as well as simple meals of rice, chicken or meat, and vegetables. It’s located near the petrol station at the far eastern end of town. It’s usually closed for a few hours in the afternoon.
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Ain Segam
Just past the village of Mandisha, near the Bahariya-Cairo road, huddles Ain Segam spring. Hidden behind a large pump house on the edge of a lush palm grove, this is a great place to have a dip or bring a picnic and laze in the shade of the swaying palm fronds.
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Ganoub Traditional Handicrafts
A tasteful little shop with the best selection of crafts in Bawiti, brought from all over Egypt, including camel-wool blankets and traditional oasis robes. It also has a small selection of books on the desert as well as postcards.
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Bir al-Mattar
At Bir al-Mattar cold springs pour into a viaduct, then down into a concrete pool where you can splash around during the hot summer months. As with all the springs the mineral content is high and the water can stain clothing.
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El-Beshmo
The closest springs to central Bawiti are the so-called Roman springs, known as El-Beshmo. The view over the oasis gardens and the desert beyond is wonderful, but unfortunately the spring is not suitable for swimming.
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Girls Work Shop
This great handicrafts store bucks the trend and sells only crafts made in Bahariya Oasis, providing local women with skills and much-needed work. Unique items include hand-embroidered greeting cards.
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Bir al-Ramla
The hot sulphurous spring of Bir al-Ramla is very hot (45°C) and suitable for a soak, though you may feel a bit exposed to the donkey traffic passing to and fro. Women should stay well covered.
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Cleopatra Restaurant
It’s worth popping in here just for the smiling welcome and friendly evening chats, though it’s also popular for its yummy chicken, fuul, ta’amiyya and eggs.
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Bir al-Ghaba
One of the most satisfying springs to visit is Bir al-Ghaba. It's quite a trek to get out here, but there is nothing quite like a moonlit hot bath on the edge of the desert.
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